Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Bursting with tomato flavor and seasonings, who can say no to juicy and tender slow cooker sloppy joes? Not me and my family!
Homemade sloppy joes were one of my Mama’s favorite weeknight suppers for busy days and I’ve always loved them. I have my skillet sloppy joe recipe on here already (click here) but this slow cooker sloppy joes recipe is what I use on those days when I don’t have time to brown my beef so I just throw it all in the slow cooker. Yup, you don’t even have to cook the beef (as long as you use lean ground chuck). Toss it in and turn it on. Supper is ready when you are.
Another thing I love about this easy crock pot sloppy joes recipe is that it’s so simple to customize. If you want to add a wee little kick (like me), drop in a tablespoon of diced jalapeno peppers. If your family is anti-mustard, don’t add it. On the other hand, if you want to add chopped onion and some minced garlic for added flavor, go right ahead. Make these sloppy joes your own.
The end result will always be the same: juicy, tender, and saucy sloppy joes bursting with tomato flavor. Pop the meat on buns and dinner will be ready in a flash! If you love classic comfort food, you’re going to love this main dish.
Now, let’s make some slow cooker sloppy joes!
Recipe Ingredients
- Diced tomatoes
- Ketchup
- Mustard (maybe)
- BBQ sauce
- Sweet relish
- Lean ground chuck
- Buns for serving
How to Make Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Okay, so the beauty of this is that you can put your ground beef in the slow cooker uncooked.
Add ground chuck to the slow cooker and chop it up a bit.
Add all of your remaining ingredients on top of your beef.
Stir that up good.
Put the lid on and place this on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
DIG IN!
Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave.
- You can also store leftovers in the freezer for up to 6 months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating in the microwave.
Recipe Notes
- Using lean ground chuck is crucial in this recipe because your meat will be terribly greasy cooking it this way if you use regular ground beef. However, if all you have is regular ground beef, simply brown it in a skillet ahead of time, add it to the slow cooker with all the other ingredients, and cut the cooking time in half.
- You can substitute the lean ground beef for lean ground turkey or ground chicken if you like.
- Customize your crock pot sloppy joes to suit you and your family:
- Add vegetables, like 1 red or green bell pepper, 1 celery stalk, and/or 1 diced yellow onion.
- Add heat via a tablespoon of sriracha, diced jalapeno peppers, or chili powder.
- For more flavor, add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, , minced garlic, and/or Worcestershire sauce.
- If you like more sweet than savory, add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to your .
Recipe FAQs
How do you serve slow cooker sloppy joes?
The classic way to serve sloppy joes is on a toasted hamburger bun with toppings like pickles, cheddar cheese slices, and onion. Popular sides include fries, coleslaw, potato salad, and mac and cheese.
Can I double this sloppy joes recipe?
Yes, it’s so easy to double this sloppy joes recipe, especially if you have a large crockpot. Double the ingredients and the cooking instructions remain the same. It’s a great recipe for when you need to feed a crowd!
Can I put raw ground beef in the slow cooker?
Yes, I promise you can put raw ground beef in the slow cooker to make sloppy joes!
Check out these other slow cooker supper ideas:
How to Make Beef Stew in the Slow Cooker
Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Easy Crock Pot Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Crockpot Fiesta Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds +1/2 pound lean ground chuck*
- 1 can diced tomatoes undrained
- 1 cup ketchup
- 3/4 cup barbecue sauce
- 1 tablespoon mustard optional
- 1-2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
- 1 tablespoon diced jalapeno peppers optional
- 8 hamburger buns for serving
Instructions
- Place the raw* beef in the slow cooker and break it up with a beef chopper or large spoon. Pour all the other ingredients over the beef. Stir well to combine.1.5 pounds +1/2 pound lean ground chuck*, 1 can diced tomatoes, 1 cup ketchup, 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, 1 tablespoon mustard, 1-2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, 1 tablespoon diced jalapeno peppers
- Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-7 hours.
- Scoop out with a slotted spoon onto hamburger buns. Serve hot and enjoy!8 hamburger buns
Notes
Nutrition
“A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn’t see the clouds at all — he’s walking on them.”
~Leonard Louis Levinson
Submitted by Bonny (thanks, Bonny!). Click here to submit your quote. New ones always welcome!
I have a picky eater in my family and one who does not like chunks of tomatoes. Would it work to use tomato sauce or tomato paste instead of the diced tomatoes? Love your site!
Run those tomatoes thru the blender or get the crushed ones they sell at Walmart. No chunks then.
Christy, I love your recipes and your website. The simplicity and photos are wonderful. I am having a problem though. Ever since the day the Cracker Pie came on line your pages will never completely load so I cannot print the pages anymore. It says that you cannot print the pages until it finishes loading. Do you have any suggestions for help for me. Thanks and keep up your great work !!!
Reading this made me think I was reading my daily devotion and Jesus was talking right to me. You see, I’ve been thinking about when I was younger…..a lot lately. I keep going back in the past & wishing things in this world were like they were 30yrs ago. But you are right. I need to think more about the present and be grateful for what I do have in the here & now. Thanks for the reminder, Christy.
Jennifer – If you used ground beef with 20% fat (standard ground beef) you would have a lot of grease mixed in with the ingredients. It is not a food safety thing, just a good way to save some calories and make it taste better. Hope that helps.
P.S. Hi Christy, I still check out your e-mails and blogs and recipes, just don’t often post. 🙂
I was just thinking about Sloppy Joes!! So glad to see this! I have the same piggy spatula thingy as well! I think I got mine at Big Lots (santa put it in my Christmas stocking!)
It seems like everybody had a vacant lot near their house growing up. 😉
We had a really big piece of land in my street that was empty for years. My house was the last one and then for ages it was empty until the next house. We used to ride our bikes into it. Lots of good afternoons and weekends spent there!
Does the beef have to be lean because of food saftey or just for personal preference of non-greasy sloppy joes?
It is because of the greasiness. With lean ground chuck, these will be delicious, flavorful, and not greasy. If you use regular ground beef, just cook it ahead of time before adding it, drain the grease, and you’re good to go!